The minimal services necessary to cremate a decedent and return the cremated remains to the family.

Our Direct Cremation service includes:

Local transfer of remains from the place of death to the funeral home

Services of our funeral directors and staff

Obtaining the necessary authorizations

Local transportation of remains to the crematory

An alternative container for transportation of the remains to the crematory

Return of the cremated remains to funeral home

Release of cremated remains to the next-of-kin or informant

*Does not include crematory charge or cash advance items such as newspaper notice or certified copies of death certificates.

Private Viewing (ID) with Direct Cremation to Follow

Private Viewing (ID) with Direct Cremation to Follow

The Private Viewing (ID) with Direct Cremation to Follow gives the family up to one hour that the deceased may be transferred out of refrigeration and identified. Following the (ID), the body of the decedent is cremated and the cremated remains are returned to the family. Embalming does not occur with this option unless requested which would be an additional charge.

Our Private Viewing (ID) with Direct Cremation to Follow includes:

Local transfer of remains from place of death to the funeral home

Services of our funeral director(s) and staff

Obtaining necessary authorizations

Private family viewing (ID) at funeral home for up to one hour

Local transportation of remains to the crematory

An alternative container for transportation of the remains to the crematory

Return of the cremated remains to the funeral home

Release of cremated remains to the next-of-kin or informant

*Does not include crematory charge or cash advance items such as newspaper notice or certified copies of death certificates.

What are the benefits of having a Private Viewing (ID) with Direct Cremation to Follow?​

The identification process is mainly utilized when there is no family present at the time of death. This commonly occurs when a decedent died unexpectedly and was taken directly to the Medical Examiner's Office. Typically, a Private Viewing (ID) involves one or two family members identifying the body of the deceased in-person at the funeral home.

It is important to remember that decomposition begins immediately after death. The longer the time between death and the Private Viewing (ID), the greater the chance that viewing will not be recommended.

Should a family want to hold a traditional visitation with calling hours, this can be accommodated after embalming occurs. This option is referred to as a Traditional Visitation with Cremation to Follow.

What should I expect with this Private Viewing (ID) with Direct Cremation to Follow?

It is important to know an ID viewing is different than what most people have experienced during a traditional visitation or formal viewing. ID viewings do not include cosmetic improvements (also called restorative art) made to the deceased. The body is typically cleaned and placed on a cot or table covered with a sheet or blanket with the deceased face shown. It is truly meant for identification only. Depending on the condition of the deceased at the time of death, some may find this disturbing. Our experience is that knowing up-front how the body will be presented helps prepare loved ones so the experience is a positive one.

There are times when a funeral director will not recommend an ID viewing. When this occurs, families should seriously consider taking their advice. Funeral Directors are trained, licensed professionals who are concerned about the family, not just the deceased. If there is serious injury to the deceased or if the deceased is in an advanced state of decomposition, the body is no longer in a condition where it should be seen in an unembalmed state. In these cases, using a photo and/or unique physical characteristics is the best approach, unless the family wishes to have their loved one embalmed.

Direct Cremation with Memorial Gathering to Follow (Body Not Present)

Direct Cremation with Memorial Gathering to Follow (Body Not Present)

With this option, your loved one is cremated before the Memorial Gathering. The cremated remains are then placed in an urn that is purchased and will be present for the Memorial Gathering. After the Memorial Gathering, the cremated remains are then released to the next-of-kin or informant.

An alternative container for transportation of the remains to the crematory

Return of the cremated remains to the funeral home

Memorial Gathering held at funeral home with cremated remains placed in purchased urn

Following Memorial Gathering, release of cremated remains to the next-of-kin or informant

*Does not include crematory charge or cash advance items such as newspaper notice or certified copies of death certificates.

What are the benefits of having a Memorial Gathering after cremation?

A Memorial Gathering is a time that is set aside for friends and family to pay respects to the person who has passed away. Many families host the Memorial Gathering at the funeral home once the cremated remains are present. The Memorial Gathering can be as religious or non-denominational as you want. At the end of the gathering, if the family elects to have a service, a Hospice Chaplain, Priest, Minister, Imam, or speaker will say a few words.

The body itself is not present during a Memorial Gathering. Instead, the cremation urn, photographs, and meaningful personal items are displayed for friends and family. There is usually a guestbook or registry that guests can sign, if that is something the family wants.

Even though the body is not present, a Memorial Gathering provides a sense of closure to friends and family. This can provide much needed comfort to survivors, who are then able to begin grieving knowing that the person they care about is at rest.

It is a great option for those who don’t want to have the body of the deceased present. A Memorial Gathering can be public, which is open to the community, or private, where only those who are invited by the family are allowed to attend.

Traditional Visitation with Cremation to Follow (Body is Present)

Traditional Visitation with Cremation to Follow (Body is Present)

A Traditional Visitation includes calling hours with the decedent being embalmed and viewed in a casket.

After the calling hours the decedent can be:

- Transported by hearse to church for a funeral service; or
- The funeral service can take place at our funeral home; or
- The calling hours can end without a funeral service

Following calling hours and the funeral service your loved one would be cremated. The cremated remains can be placed into the container provided by the crematory or a cremation urn.

Our Traditional Visitation option is designed for those who wish to retain funeral traditions, including the presence of the casketed body, while keeping the many advantages of a cremation arrangement. This can be a good choice for those who are having a difficult time deciding between cremation and a traditional burial, as it combines the largest benefits of each. Here, the cremation occurs after the funeral, which has been lovingly, and thoughtfully, planned by your family in cooperation with a member of our funeral home's professional staff.

Contact us for more information

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our services or would like additional information.